Zhou Jiangtao (2nd L), head of the Shekou Subdistrict Office, briefs expats about the functions of the subdistrict office with the help of an interpreter (L).
The MSCE was initiated by the Shekou Subdistrict Office to provide information and help for expatriate residents dwelling in the neighborhood. It was officially established June 28, 2017.
"I still remember that only five people were showing interest in our center last year by joining our official WeChat group, but now we have more than 500 group members," said Yang Yan, director of the center.
An activity about firefighting knowledge with a visit to the local fire department last year started to attract more expats' attention to the center, and since then more and more residents turned to the center for help with their residence registration, legal documents, renting apartments, finding schools and hospitals and among other requests.
The Hooton's, a family from the U.K. who has lived at the Shekou expat community for three years, represented expat families in a speech they delivered yesterday.
Tim Hooton said his family was grateful for the service center's help for the past year.
"The most tangible benefit of the center is that it provides access to useful and accurate information for expats living here," said Hooton.
In return, the family also contributed time and efforts in acting in a short film produced by the center to showcase expats' lives and the center's services. The short film also made its debut yesterday at the celebratory ceremony.
According to Yang, the center would not have been able to provide satisfying services for the expat community without some foreign volunteers' help over the past year.
A total of 10 expatriate volunteers received the Outstanding Contributors award yesterday for their voluntary services for the center and their counterparts living in Shekou.
Mike Morrison from Seattle of the United States was one of the awardees. He told Shenzhen Daily that he had been helping out with proofreading the center's English material.
Morrison has been living in Shenzhen for over two years and is fond of the convenient and pollution-free living environment in Shekou. As a volunteer, Morrison also often gives suggestions on living in Shekou for newcomers.
The MSCE serves expatriate residents who live in the areas under the jurisdictions of the Shekou Police Station and Shenzhen Bay Police Station. The center is operated by the Shekou Subdistrict Office and authorized by the Exit-Entry Administration of the Nanshan District Public Security Sub-bureau, with English-speaking staff hired from a third-party social work agency.
Zhou Jiangtao, head of the Shekou Subdistrict Office, extended his congratulations upon the anniversary and expressed his gratitude to all foreigners who have made great contributions to the community.
"The ceremony today is not just to recognize efforts made by staff of the center, but also to mark the progress of building Shekou into an international community," Zhou said.
On behalf of the government, Zhou said that more efforts will be taken to provide a home-like life for expats in Shekou. He also expressed his thanks to some agencies like local police stations and social workers for their support to the community.
According to the center, Shekou is Shenzhen's largest expat community with 8,564 expats registered with the Shekou Police Station and Shenzhen Bay Police Station.
The number increased by almost 2,300 compared to the figure recorded in June last year.
Source:Shenzhen Daily
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